One Killed, 19 Injured at Club Karma
Investigators said they responded to a mass shooting at Karma, a club in downtown Jackson just after 2 a.m., Sunday. They said the incident would claim the life of a Memphis man. Police said 18 others sustained gunshot wounds. “I haven’t been out this whole semester. I only came out because it was homecoming,” said Tamvernisha Huery, a Lane College student at the club during the incident. Authorities said they believe at least three gunman open fire with handguns. They said LeCarlos Todd, 19, was fatally wounded. Investigators would said Todd was a college student, but would not say whether he attended Lane or Lemoyne-Owen college. Witnesses said the club played host to an after-party following a basketball game played by Lane and Lemoyne-Owen colleges. Police said several fights broke out following a music performance. “….then all of the sudden you heard gunshots,” said Sequoia Dean, a Lane College student. She said everyone fell to the floor when they heard shots. “I’m ducking down. I see people crawling under the stage,” said Huery. She said she and others would attempt to take cover under the stage. “I’m also getting stepped on by heels (in) my face,” she adds. Both Dean and Huery said they crawled out of the club on their knees across a floor covered with glass. “It’s our understanding that people were searched. I don’t know if a metal detector was utilized, but it’s our understanding that they were patted down,” said Lieutenant Tyreece Miller of Jackson Police Department. Lieutenant Miller said there is a lesson to be learned. “Most people know what kind of establishment that they’re going to patronize before they go in there. If you know there is not going to be a thorough search you may not want to go inside that place because possibly there may be an armed person(s) and we’re pretty sure that’s what happened in this case.” If you have any information which could assist investigators you are urged to call Jackson Police Department at (731) 425-8400 or Jackson CrimeStoppers at (731)424-8477 (TIPS).
